2011 Lexus LFA

First supercar from Japan.

At long last, after nearly 10 years of development, the 2011 Lexus LFA made its debut at the Tokyo International Motor Show. A few weeks prior, we were invited to Germany's famous Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit to experience the car for ourselves.

Push the start button; the roar of the V-10 immediately tells you this is a serious machine. Blip the throttle, and the 4.8-liter 4-cammer races to its 9000-rpm redline immediately and effortlessly, like a motorcycle engine. The sound reminds me of a Formula 1 powerplant, which is not surprising given Toyota's Grand Prix involvement.

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On the roads around the Nürburgring, the LFA is docile. Even with 560 bhp on tap, the car doesn't need to be driven in anger to appreciate its power and road-hugging ability. Put the paddle-shift transmission in the sportiest setting and the gear swaps are snappy. And although the gearbox is mildly clunky in traffic, with a few rattles and hisses as the clutch engages and disengages, this is by far the best single-clutch hydraulically actuated transmission on the market.

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On the Nordschleife circuit, the LFA feels right at home. Its suspension soaks up the bumps well and quickly hunkers back down, waiting for the driver's next command. Don't look down at the speedometer because you'll be surprised at how much speed this car can carry.

Through the back section of the Nordschleife where a few off-camber turns can upset the car, the LFA pulls through with minimal drama. The car feels lively as it dances through the corners, the Torsen limited-slip differential helping the car blast out of the turns. Even with the yaw control completely deactivated, the Lexus behaves predictably with mild understeer. As the speed picks up, the steering feels a little light and less communicative. Carbon-ceramic rotors slow the car consistently with zero fade, but the pedal travel is a bit too long.

There will only be 500 LFAs produced. Twenty per month will be made at the Motomachi plant in Toyota City in Japan. Price has not been confirmed, but it's estimated to be in the high $300,000s. First delivery is expected in January 2011.

The company's first supercar is a worthy effort, and we especially like how it was developed so carefully and methodically at the Nürburgring. In fact, the LFA was even raced at the Ring twice before it was production-ready — a nontraditional approach that few car companies have dared to try. Perhaps it's best to call the Nordschleife the true birthplace of the LFA.